After spending a long time in a noisy area or swimming, your ears may feel blocked and you may hear a ringing sound. This is quite common, but if you have not done any of these activities and you hear strange sounds in your ears, it could be tinnitus.
Also known as “tinnitus,” tinnitus is a sound that originates in the ear rather than in the environment, so other people cannot hear it. The MSD Manual states that it is a symptom and not a specific disease, and it is quite common, with about 10% to 25% of adults experiencing it.
The noise you perceive may be a buzzing, ringing, roaring, hissing, or humming sound, and is often associated with hearing loss. These are most noticeable in a quiet environment and when you are not concentrating on something specific.
Tinnitus may be present all the time or it may be intermittent.
What causes tinnitus?
According to Alejandro Flores, an otorhinolaryngologist, tinnitus can be a symptom of age-related hearing loss, an ear injury, or a circulatory disorder. Therefore, it can be reduced when treatments are taken for the underlying cause detected.
There is no specific cause for tinnitus yet, but it is rarely associated with a serious medical problem that significantly affects a person’s daily life. “There are cases where the ringing in the ear affects mood, as well as the ability to sleep or concentrate. There are specific severe cases where it causes anxiety,” the doctor adds.
Otorhinolaryngologist Edgar Duarte adds that tinnitus also occurs when a person has been exposed to loud noises for a long time, such as a sporting event, a concert, or a bomb explosion. In addition, taking certain medications, especially in high doses, and injuries to the head or neck could cause these complaints. Migraine can also cause it.
“Wax plugs or ear infections also cause tinnitus. There are many causes, including fatigue, depression, anxiety, memory, and concentration problems. It is recommended that, when you notice the ringing, if it has not diminished after 24 hours, you should see a doctor,” says Duarte.
Tinnitus Treatment
Diagnosis of tinnitus will depend on the symptoms, so an underlying condition will need to be tested. To do this, the doctor will ask questions about your medical history and examine your ears, head, and neck.
Treatment will depend on the diagnosis and the cause, especially if there is an underlying health problem. For example, your doctor may recommend ear cleaning or washing if the earwax blockage is a cause. He or she may also recommend hearing aids if the problem is noise-related or age-related hearing loss.
If tinnitus is caused by medication, then it is best to change the medication, or if it is a blood vessel condition, then medication or a specific treatment for this problem will be recommended.
There are also sound therapies that are based in part on the view that tinnitus is due to changes in the brain’s neural circuits caused by hearing loss. This may work by masking the tinnitus noises, helping you get used to them, or distracting you.